Long lost blogger

Why hello there!  I am such a blogger slacker.  No real excuse cause it's not like I am not on my phone (or iPad or laptop).  :)

January always means new things to better myself.  Time and time again I have had good intentions but failed in my follow through.  At the beginning of the year God spoke the word Thrive to me.  The word was already in my head.  You see, I am attending a conference for my Young Living business in February this year.  (www.thethriveconference.com)  We've been talking about the word Thrive and what it means in our Facebook groups.  It's made me think deeper on it.  So much so that I am making 2015 my year to Thrive.

What does that mean?
This means
*that I am working harder to create, protect, and KEEP my quiet time with Bible reading along with completing the Bible in a year.
*that I am getting back to the gym (took a break a few months ago when I was sick and never got back) and sticking with it!
*that I am focusing more on my family.  Because of this I am taking a Facebook break right now for at least 21 days.  I chose this for our church-wide fast because I am horrible at being on Facebook way too often.  My house and parenting (along with marriage) shows for it too.  So it was something that needed to go.  I will have to set boundaries for sure after the fast is over.
*that I am living life to the fullest.  Making memories like it's the only day I have.  Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.
*that I am going to be a completer, finisher, conqueror this year!  I am tired of not completing what I want to finish.
*that I am doing this all with lots of accountability to keep pushing me forward

What about you?  Where can you focus on Thriving in life?  What goals do you want to complete in 2015?

Starting line...again

I'm back at the starting line...and I'm not proud of it.  I am proud that I am able to admit my fault and start over though.  Today I am starting a 5 week challenge.  To learn more about it and to join me visit link below.

One Year Challenge

I joined a One Year One Ton Challenge with a local group a few weeks ago.  I'm down 1.8 in the last 2 weeks.  Not ideal, but not bad.  Just time to push it a little harder!  I plan to start up Slim in 6 tomorrow and do it for 6 days along with walking/jogging a 5k on Saturdays (as I can).  Rest days will be Sundays.  The One Year One Ton Challenge is for all of us to lose 100 lbs.  It's a big goal for me (cause that puts me right at if not a little below my goal weight).  I am going to do my best to attain the goal anyways!

Been having some pain in my knees with jogging lately so I've been walking more than jogging.  I'm hoping the Slim in 6 will help build up my muscle strength and help lengthen my jogging times.  I feel like I should be further along in running...and I probably should...but it's been a long hard process.  Gotten to at least Week 5 of C25K three times now.  Got to Week 7 at the beginning of the year when I got bronchitis.  It's still a goal to complete the whole program sometime!  I refuse to beat myself up over it though.

Looking through the calendar of 5ks here locally to see which ones I can do.  I have a few that I really would like to do.  Now to get the money!  :)

Runner's high

Finally!  It is finally back!!  My runner's high that is....and maybe my blogger's high too (well maybe!).  Marshall was ordering pizza for supper tonight.  I knew that if I was going to eat it that I needed to run.  So I made myself get on the treadmill while the pizza was on the way.  I got in a quick 1.25 miles.  Most of that I ran too.  I pushed myself a little harder.  I had a little bit of arch pain and a cramp in my side.  So I focused on breathing, technique and drinking some water.  It helped the pains go away and I was able to run more.  I also got my MOTOACTV finally calibrated for the treadmill.  Now I can make sure to use it more when I do my treadmill runs!  I have a feeling that there will be lots of those this summer.  It's been so crazy hot here lately.  Course tonight was nice and cooler with a breeze.  Made me want to get out and do another run.  However there was some lightning nearby so that wouldn't have been a good idea.  :)

Both of the boys aren't feeling good.  Chest/head colds.  Coughs, snotty noses, gagging from drainage, and wheezing cries.  *sigh*  Poor babies.  I hope they both get to feeling much better!  Already seems like a better day today.  At least Corgan will take something to help.  They're both a bit whiny lately too....probably just from not feeling good.

So ready for a new goal so I'm challenging myself to lose 5 lbs by the 21st.  That's 2 weeks.  I'm going to be strict on myself again.  Eating much better, counting calories, drinking at least 95% water (the occasional coffee and tea....no carbonated drinks), and exercising regularly.  I have got to get my butt back in gear.  I think it will help my back and neck pain I've had for almost 2 months now.

11 weeks til Warrior Dash!!!  I WILL commit to finishing an exercise program whether it be Slim in 6, 30 Day Shred or Couch 2 5K.  That's another goal to have done before Warrior Dash.  I would love to be down 20 more lbs by the WD.  I can do it!!

*singing* Don't stop...Don't give up

Yes I am singing in that title.  Keelan is quite fascinated with Yo Gabba Gabba lately.  One of the songs on there is called Don't Give Up.  It's a quite catchy song....as they all are....and I find myself singing it.  Guess it could be a theme for me with my getting healthy journey.  I'm trying my hardest to get out of the slump but it's just getting harder and harder...and the days til Warrior Dash are getting closer and closer.  It doesn't help that I've been dealing with back and neck pain pretty bad for over a month or two now.  I, however, will not allow that excuse to validate an end to my journey!  It's NOT over!  So until I breath my last breath I will continue to sing "Keep trying.  Keep trying. Don't give up. Never give up."

Running

I am using the Couch25K program on my phone to train for my first 5K. I have picked the date for my race (April 14th). Now I just need to register. I am 5 weeks into the C25K program. Week 4 got increasingly hard for me. Today's run was a bit challenging. I ended up doing it inside on the treadmill since my husband was out with friends. I pushed right through it. I am trying to find a different location than my neighborhood for my next run to see if it changes anything. Maybe I'll try a track.

I recently joined a group of others in a Biggest Loser challenge at church. Each week before we weigh in, we will have the option to do a 5K or a boot camp workout. I won't always be able to make the weigh ins at the usual time so I will be doing several of mine on Sunday mornings instead of Saturdays. However this Saturday I plan to give the 5K a shot. I'd love to see where I am in my training and run most of it if I can. I will update how I do as well as how each week's weigh in is. It is an 11 week program and will end the week after my 5K.

I am also doing a program through our state as well called Scale Back Alabama. There are challenges to win cash prizes. Our group is the Skinny Girls in Fat Suits. hehe We need to lose at least 10 lbs to be eligible for grand prizes. It is a 10 week program...ending the week of my 5K. I will update on Mondays how I do with this.

So I obviously have enough to keep me busy to get this weight off! :) I am keeping track of water intake (at least 8 glasses a day!), calories, and exercise. It's already paying off. People are noticing that I'm looking slimmer. I believe I am down 8.2 lbs in the last 3 weeks. Not a bad start! So keep me on my toes and keep me accountable. I want this so bad I can taste it! Skinny is coming!!! :)

30 by 30

I am hoping to get back into blogging again. Mainly because I have made a 30 by 30 list (30 things to do/complete before I turn 30 which is on May 20th). I've been posting stuff on Facebook but I want to write more about it so I will be blogging about it. Plus I've adding blogging to my 30 by 30 list. :)

Here's the list so far. I still need to add to it cause I'm not up to 30 yet. These can be found at Pinterest.

1. Read Bible all the way through

2. Book 5 new weddings

3. Go to the batting cages

4. Start Disney fund

5. Go to drive-in movie

6. View each day as a gift

7. Use 10 ways to love

8. Get rid of clutter

9. Make magnetic goal/dream board and put it up

10. Go on a hike

11. Go to a restaurant that has been on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives - DONE! (1/7/12)

12. Get a tattoo

13. Clean entire house

14. Win a free cruise for first kidless vacation

15. Date night every month

16. Have a family photo shoot

17. Buy a mini-van (this is a maybe on the list because it's not financially possible right now)

18. Become bone marrow donor

19. Catch a fish - DONE! (1/20/12)

20. Have boudoir shoot done - DONE! (1/19/12)

21. Read "The Five Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts" - DONE! (1/11/12)

22. Eat more fruits and veggies; try new ones

23. Take a "Spirited Art" class - scheduled for 2/3/12

24. Learn to crochet

25. Photo scavenger hunt

26. Lose 30 lbs

27. Run first 5K

28. Blog more

I need to add 3 more because the mini-van one is a filler. I will blog more about each one. I just wanted a post with just the list. :)

Changes

There are some changes going on in our family. Marshall works for the gov't and has been accepted for a position overseas. This wouldn't be a move for all of us....just a tour of duty for him for 6 months. However before he can leave he has to get his BMI down. I have decided to blog our journey. We started this past Saturday with exercising and eating better. Here's a rundown of what we're doing and then our progress so far!

Marshall - Working out at the gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Working out at home with me Tuesday and Thursday doing Slim in 6. We will also walk as much as possible. Will be starting a heart diet used at a nearby hospital to lose weight quickly next week. This will be for 3 days and then 4 days off (but still eating healthy). He's eating a lot of salads. Taking Advocare supplements and using the Meal Replacement Shakes.

Danielle - Working out at home 6 days a week with 1 day off. Using Slim in 6. Using Weight Watchers points and eating healthier smaller portions. I will be starting the heart diet with Marshall next week. Also walking with Marshall as much as possible. Taking Advocare supplements and using the shakes as well. Drinking only water....no sodas or teas.

I am also making a conscious effort to stay away from all fast food. I will have to be healthy when going out to eat with friends as I have a lunch date with a friend on Friday and then a baby shower/girls night out next Monday. I will probably just get a salad both times. I will need to resist the yeast rolls at Logans on Monday. That will be hard as bread is my weakness but I CAN do it! :)

Results as of this morning:
Marshall - down 9+ lbs!! (there's a plus because before he would get an error so we're not sure what his full starting weight was) So proud of him!!!!
Danielle - down 4 lbs!! I am almost to my pre-pregnancy weight....only 2 lbs away. I have fluctuated between the same 5 lbs for the past 4 years since I got pregnant. I will be going way past the pre-pregnancy weight!

I am sharing this on Facebook so that you can all join us in praying and keeping us accountable. Blogging it to keep from having so many updates on my Facebook page. :)